Staying in the house under the AC during the summer break is not something that the doctors would suggest. Although owning a swimming pool solves one difficulty, it urges the question: How to make it fun as much as it is refreshing?
This is where a poolside basketball hoop comes into action. Children and adults love fooling around in the water and a pool hoop is a classic way to fill the place with excitement.
Recognizing that this is not something you purchase often, you should be aware of a few things before you decide.
Of course, what you want is what’s best for your kids and buddies. Accordingly, choosing the best poolside basketball hoop comes down to 4 essential factors: safety, adjustability, the materials quality, and the cost. And you should reflect on them in that particular order because the safety must be the top priority, always.
Some prefer floating kind of pool hoops, some like larger ones that stand above ground. While with the floating ones the missed shots virtually always stay in the water, adjustable pool hoops give a more authentic feeling of the game.
According to our reviews, the best choice for inflatable pool basketball hoop would be Super Hoops Floating Basketball Game by Swimline. And if you’re looking for a real-like basketball hoop, you can’t go wrong with Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System as a cheaper option, or Dunrite Splash and Shoot as a more expansive solution.
Without further ado, here are the reviews for the best pool basketball hoops on the market in 2018. Choose wisely.
The best pool basketball hoops on the market- Reviews
1. Lifetime 1301 Pool Side Basketball System
One of the best basketball hoop manufacturers in the last ten years brought us an awesome model you can use for both indoor and poolside play.
Lifetime 1301 features high-quality materials and it’s virtually unbreakable.
This hoop comes with a large 44-inch polyethylene backboard that perfectly combines poolside fun and real basketball action. It’s adjustable (goes from 4 to 6.5 feet), and features a heavy-duty base to fill with sand or water. Fill it with sand and thank me later.
This base is very similar to the ones on regular Lifetime portable basketball hoops, which makes it as safe (even more as the players will be in less of a contact with the rim).
The construction on Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System is rust-resistant and will preserve the strength of hoop’s initial features. It also comes with a nice all-weather net.
The bottom of the backboard highlights added firm foam coating that restricts any scratches and accidents around this pool basketball hoop.
All in all, this is a ridiculous value for money and you can’t go wrong with it.
If you’re buying just for little kids though, there are smaller and cheaper options on this list.
2. Swimline 9195 Cool Jam Pro Poolside Basketball Super-Wide
This is one of those pool hoops that are adjustable, so depending on how who’s playing on it and how competitive the game is, we can adjust it how we want.
Swimline 9195 features a super-wide, yet compact 44-inch backboard that will save the ball from going over even for those who are not that skilled at basketball.
Its base is strong and sturdy and makes this hoop as stable as any regular basketball hoop.
With the Cool Jam Pro Poolside, you also get a regulation-size game ball and a heavy duty net that will withstand harsh weather.
It’s important to add that this hoop comes in certified frustration-free packaging which will make installation so much easier.
One of the significant problems that have come up via customers is the persistence of the rim and the net. From buyers’ experiences, many have insisted that their rim would start to rust over a short span of time, and on top of that, the net isn’t very long lasting either.
The Swimline 9195 Super-Wide is an enjoyable pool hoop that provides players with a huge target to work with.
Depending on what you’re searching for, it might be smart to think other options as well, such as a bit higher valued hoops that will last longer in the pool.
3. Super Hoops Floating Basketball Game by Swimline (Best choice for floating hoops)
Super Hoops Floating is one of the lightest pool basketball hoops on the market.
It measures 17 inches of height, 14 inches of width, and weighs around 2.38 lbs. It’s not inflatable, but is very easy to move and floats with ease in both chlorine and salt water.
This hoop features PVC fluted tubing, giving us respectable levels of durability, endurance, and strength.
The net on this one resembles a genuine basketball hoop’s net and utilizes waterproof components to run the game flowing easily.
Super Hoops by Swimline also comes with its own inflatable ball that resembles just like a real one.
This one is also is cheap, and over 500 customer reviews show a solid run for the cost.
It can be used by kids as well as adults for enjoying basketball in the pool.
4. Dunnrite Splash and Shoot
Dunrite is a reputable brand that covers plenty of pool equipment, so as the best poolside basketball hoops.
This model comes with a 43-inch wide polyurethane backboard and 25-gallon polyethylene base, that will ensure the stability and weather resistance. The backboard on Dunrite Splash and Shoot includes graphics for easier shooting and has a bit different and interesting design.
Except for its large 25-gallon capacity that you can fill with water or sand, the best thing about the base is that provides simple portability and makes this hoop easy to move.
If you fill it with water it’ll weigh around 200 lbs. The sand is around 1.6 times heavier and with it, that number goes up to 320 lbs.
The one-piece pole on this hoop is can go up to 56 inches over the pool deck in 6-inch increments. It features Aluminum Powder coat that’ll keep it rust-free.
Vinyl-coated steel rim also won’t let for the rust to settle in, as well as an all-weather basketball net that comes with it.
5. Poolmaster 72777 Above-Ground Poolside Basketball/Volleyball Combo
This pool basketball hoop is a very interesting option since you also get a volleyball set with it.
The Poolmaster 7277 Above-Ground is permanent once you mount it, comes with the all-weather backboard made from weather-resistant materials. It’s not as big as some backboard on this list, which makes it best for kids. Opt out for larger backboard hoop if you’re looking for a more realistic feel.
Since there are no adjustable parts, securing it for kids won’t be much of a concern. And because it’s not adjustable, it gives something else in return.
If the Poolmaster 7277 is your choice, you’ll also get volleyball net, perma-top mounts, and poles, along with two balls (one for basketball and one for volleyball).
All of this for a truly affordable price? It’s obvious why this one got to our list.
6. Dunnrite PoolSport Swimming Pool Hoop with 13.5-inch Stainless Steel Rim
Another good product from Dunrite. If you’re trying to make pool more fun and at the same time looking for a real hoops experience, this is the best hoop for you.
I picked this one because it covers almost everything you can ask from a pool basketball hoop. It’s safe, doesn’t require complicated assembly and the most important – it doesn’t contain any sharp edges that could induce injuries for kids.
Dunrite PoolSport Swimming Pool Hoop comes with a polyurethane base that weighs around 115 lbs. when you fill it with water.
If you do it with sand its weight goes up to 200 lbs, which makes it sturdy and strong enough to withstand a lot of poolside fooling.
The non-adjustable stainless steel rim is fixed at 36 inches above the deck and gives an awesome rebound feel (the realness of ball bouncing back from backboard). The rim features a white all-weather net prone to all forms of severe weather and water.
What I like most about this hoop is that it comes with the one-year limited warranty, and doesn’t require more than 20 minutes to install.
EXTRA! The Dunrite PoolSport features a medium sized basketball that comes in the same color as the complete basketball hoop, so that’s also covered.
7. S.R. Smith S-BASK-CH Swim N’ Dunk Salt Friendly Challenge Basketball Game
The first thing we need to say about this hoop is that it’s a heavy duty, made of stainless steel and constructed to last during various weather conditions.
It’s also demountable for seasonal storage – replace with optional anchor caps (sold separately) for a flush deck look
The game with S.R. Smith Swim N’ Dunk will feel just like playing in the real gym, except your court is the pool.
This hoop has a very sturdy upright dual pole structure that resembles a real basketball experience. To add to it, the backboard is frameless and built of a tough acrylic material.
The best feature of the S.R. Smith poolside basketball hoop is the in-deck anchoring system. This well secures the hoop onto whatever substance circles your pool. You can mount it on concrete, brick or some other hard compound.
With this one, you’ll also get a net, needle, and a basketball for the complete package.
Consider this hoop a long-term investment. It’s fairly expensive but worth it.
8. Lifetime 1306 Pool Side Basketball System (The best overall)
Another bestseller from Lifetime that will deliver on the promises. As a reminiscent of a regular basketball hoop, it absolutely stands out on this list.
The Lifetime Pool Side is durable, adaptable, and will turn any pool into an arena if that’s your goal.
It features a large 44-inch polyurethane Shatterproof Fusion backboard that’s immune to harsh weather elements.
Also, it comes with a UV-protected rust-resistant two-piece pole that adjusts from 4 to 6.5 feet in 6-inch increments. It means that children, adolescents, and adults can use it every day.
The Lifetime 1306 has a padding of all sides which will yield sufficient protection.
The base on this hoop will allow for easy portability as it features wheels. It has a volume of 27 gallons, and it’s best to fill it with sand. Lifetime will also give you a 5-year warranty on this one but I doubt you’ll ever need it. The only thing that could be a problem with this hoop is the rust on the rim because of the chlorine in the water. The solution to this is to occasionally lubricate it.
Welded steel hooks will secure the all-weather net, and you can even choose a design on this one. You have three options here:
- Blue Fusion
- White Fusion
- White Impact
With its excellent features, long-term warranty, and fair price, this hoop has quickly turned into one of my favorites.
9. SwimWays 2 in 1 Game
SwimWays has quickly promoted to one of the most prominent brands when it comes to pool fun. Along with basketball, you can also try some volleyball, as this hoop comes with a volleyball net and ball.
It features a portable strong plastic base that will keep the hoop sturdy and safe for kids and adults. Also, it comes with a large backboard with cool graphics that will easily keep the action inside the water, even after heavy misses of those less experienced with this sport.
The SwimWays 2 in 1 Game also comes with a black steel rim made to last long under any weather conditions.
It’s important to add that the complete package features a pro-style basketball and that this hoop has a built-in ball rest so that your youngest don’t lose it.
This one is also very simple to assemble, and it’s not expensive at all.
Some do say it’s a bit shaky, and if you don’t mind it, a cost of under $100 is more than reasonable for this kind of pool basketball hoop.
10. Pool Shot Poolside Basketball Hoop Wing-It
This hoop features two round aluminum poles bolted on the joint with a stainless steel bolt.
It also has a very durable backboard that’s practically UV-resistant. It can take on rough weather conditions such as high levels of sunlight, rain and even snow, keeping up to its initial state. You’re going to appreciate this if you’re not planning on moving it too often.
Pool Shot Poolside Basketball Hoop Wing-It initially weighs around 50 pounds, but if filling it with water or sand that weight goes up to 190 pounds.
This hoop also features a vinyl basketball, so that you and your crew can play a bit of competitive basketball in the water without causing any damage.
The thing I like most about this hoop is that its anti-tumbling design allows you to dunk on it all day every day. This isn’t a common feature of pool basketball hoops.
The Wing-It poolside basketball hoop will give you ”exactly what you pay for”. This may come out as a cliché, but it’s true. You’re looking at a long-term investment for 10+ years of usage.
On the other hand, if you’re just looking for a hoop to fill time with kids, there are less expensive options in these reviews.
11. Swimline Giant Shootball Basketball Swimming Pool Game Toy
This inflatable pool basketball hoop is one of the lightest hoops in these reviews which makes it super-portable. 
It may be a little pricier than other hoops of this kind but it offers more multiplayer options and premium valve for easy inflation.
At 45 inches of height and 36 inches of width, it’s larger than the most floating hoops. This will make it a bit harder to use in public pools around unknown people.
The Swimline Giant Shootball features multiple ports, and it’s perfect for fooling around the pool and just shooting hoops with kids or friends.
Safety is not an issue here, as it’s inflatable. And one more thing… With this hoop, you’ll also get an inflatable basketball.
12. Poolmaster 72705 All-Pro Water Basketball Hoop
This easy snap-on assembly floating basketball pool hoop doesn’t come with backboard, but do you actually need one for pool basketball? Maybe you don’t.
The Poolmaster All-Pro base is 21-inches wide and16-inches tall which makes it big enough to keep the hoop nicely floating even with bricks of shots thrown at it.
Some might argue that this hoop lacks stability since it floats inside the pool, but the Poolmaster All-Pro is made of durable non-corrosive PVC tubing, so it does provide a stable base when compared to other floating hoops.
This hoop also features a hand-woven net and mini-basketball to have something to shoot with. It’s best for kids over 8, and you won’t have any problem installing it as the installation requires no tools.
If you don’t mind the absence of a backboard, the floating feature, and low price, you might as well buy this hoop.
But if you do mind those things, look further for a poolside basketball hoop on this list to give you a more true basketball experience.
13. COOP Hydro Spring Hoops
I included the COOP Hydro inflatable basketball set in these reviews because of its unique design and game springs for instant playing.
It’s recommended for ages 5 and up, and adults who love basketball won’t hesitate too much when it comes to playing on this hoop.
This may not seem like a big deal, but this little hoop comes with a portable storage bag and Twist-n-fold design for easy portability and storage.
All in all, a pleasant surprise when talking about inflatable pool basketball hoops – Coop did a great job with this one.
What’s a pool basketball hoop?
A pool basketball hoop is a piece of basketball equipment made to resemble a standard basketball hoop. It’s made of plastic, it’s usually waterproof and inflatable, and makes a perfect tool for fun afternoons with friends or family to shoot hoops or even play a game. This kind of hoop is easy to carry and designed to be carried wherever good times take you – from the hotel, you’re staying at, to the be beach or even your own pool. You’ll never get bored with a pool basketball hoop, as they are usually very durable and will last for years.
How are basketball and swimming in correlation?
A short digression into the history of two separate topics will reward you with more profound gratitude for their final intermingling. As a sport, basketball is special because we can actually track the origins of it to a specific month and even a particular court.
In December of 1891, one Canadian man – Dr. James Naismith, made American and World history when he hammered a peach basket to the northern gymnasium wall. He was at the time working as a physical education professor at the Young Men’s Christian Training School (precursor to the well-known YMCA) in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Naismith tried to come up with an idea for a sport that will keep his students healthy and fit during harsh New England winters. It turned out that he invented a game that will craze billions of fans worldwide.
Basketball has improved drastically from that Springfield gymnasium. No longer you need to pull out the ball from the basket thanks to nets and high-quality rims used today. The game no longer uses soccer balls or any unevenly shaped balls that don’t allow for dribbling. Actually, dribbling was not a common thing when people played basketball until the end of the 1940s.
Regardless of many changes that happened through the years, the basic idea stayed the same: get the ball through the rim to get a basket, to get the points, and the team with more points when the game end wins — that simple.
The first swimming pool known to people was made on the other side of the world, more precisely in Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan, about 5,000 years ago. Swimming pools were pretty popular in Ancient Greece and Rome, and not a common thing in the years of classical civilizations. Public pools (the ones with paid membership) were familiar throughout the 1800s and into the 1900s.
In the middle of the 1900s, the swimming pools started to appear in private residences around the United States. From then on, many families found piece in exactly this kind of activity during hot summers. As time went on, more and more pool toys were produced and that brought one of today’s most unique accessories for family pools – pool basketball hoop.
What are the advantages/benefits of poolside basketball?
The best feature of pool basketball hoops is that they’re lightweight as a feather.
Poolside basketball will give you even more benefits above standard basketball or swimming. With this combination of two separate activities, you’ll improve your hand-eye coordination and accuracy of your aim. You will also do an excellent lower body training as well as ab-workout while keeping yourself afloat.
If you want you can turn it into an extreme workout to burn fat and get rid of those love handles.
Let’s dive a bit more into the advantages of playing basketball in the pool.
Playing Pool Basketball For Exercise
If you think about water polo, all these guys playing are healthy and fit. The same effect can be reached with water basketball. Although we don’t know precisely how many calories does pool basketball burn, we can assume just by looking at the numbers for water polo and regular basketball (shooting hoops, half-court, full-court – calories burned).
The average 170-pound male water polo player burns more than 900 calories in an hour of play. Compare that to 600 calories when the same guy spends that time running at around six miles per hour, and it’s evident that water games are an excellent way to get fit and stay in shape. This kind of activities build muscle most and burn excess fat.
Since this is indeed a dynamic combo of swimming and basketball, except for the lower body, you’re also exercising your upper body by taking shots and always moving your shoulders up and down. If you’re playing with another person only guarding the player will be enough of work for a moderately active person. Taking in concern how engaging this sport is, weight loss and becoming fit will be a pleasure, not a duty with poolside basketball.
Cooperating and teamwork for kids’ development
Pool basketball hoop above ground can help your youngest learn basic teamwork skills that will serve him later in life. Two-on-two game in the pool is better than the real basketball two-on-two. If your pool is a bit deeper, it will be harder to score a basket, but the effects on personal improvement will be far higher than in pools with low water. Why? Because you need to pass more and thus more often involve your teammates.
Improving swimming skills
Getting a pool deck basketball hoop is a smart idea if you want to improve swimming skills at home. This is particularly true for those with smaller pools that don’t allow for much swimming from one end to the other. It’s a win-win because poolside basketball is at the same time fun and engaging.
Translating skills learned on pool basketball hoop to the ground game is also very probable if you get one of the basketball hoops for a pool that looks like a regular one. The perfect example for this is Lifetime 1306, available on Amazon for a very affordable price.
Buyer’s Guide
Before you even start looking for a poolside basketball hoop, it would be best that you know how much you’re willing to spend on it. These kinds of hoops come in various shapes and sizes, and their price depends mostly on size, quality, and material.
If the hoop is for small kids (inflatable), you can purchase it for less than $20. If you’re looking for something more serious (fixed or adjustable/portable), the price goes up to $150.
I must say that some high-end pool systems are extremely price-worthy, stable and rust-resistant. This might not be an expense you planned, but it’s better to buy something durable and safe than to cry later.
How durable are pool basketball hoops?
Harsh weather conditions can do damage to any basketball hoop, no question about it. Fortunately, pool basketball hoops are as durable as regular basketball hoops and they can also last longer. I’ll explain why.
First, regarding small inflatable hoops, it’s obvious that you can put them inside the house and they can last forever. Regarding bigger pool hoops, they’re the combination of plastics and metals that can easily survive any bad weather.
You’ll enhance durability placing the hoop a bit higher. This way there won’t be any hanging on the rim. Unless you have an indoor pool, prepare for rust removal every now and then (every year or two).
How portable is this kind of hoop?
If you choose an inflatable or adjustable pool basketball hoop, you’ll also get portability as one of the features. This is useful for those who often go on a vacation and play pool basketball in someone else’s pool.
You could disassemble the hoop if it’s fixed, but that would be too much trouble to do. Except that, these hoops are massive to keep the stability on a high level. This also means that a fixed hoop is better for dunking and occasional hanging on the rim (just for kids).
Types of a poolside basketball hoop
When buying a poolside basketball hoop, you need to decide between three options:
- Floating hoop – small plastic basketball hoop that floats on water
- Fixed hoop – more regular-like basketball hoop that’s fixed outside the pool
- Portable adjustable hoop – portable basketball hoop for pool use
A floating hoop is best for children under eight and adults that want to chill and just shoot the ball for fun. These ones are most usable in shallow water.
A fixed basketball pool system above ground with real backboard is best for those with teenagers at home, as they are competitive as f**k in those years. With this kind of hoop, you’ll get a nice rebound feeling. It means that when the ball bounces from the rim it will have a fine natural direction, just like on real basketball hoops.
And if you decide on a portable poolside hoop, please fill the base with sand or BaseGel. Secure it well and don’t let the kids hang on it.
Are pool basketball hoops safe?
If you’re buying a fixed basketball hoop for the pool you should know that the steel base is much stronger and suitable for serious play than in portable hoop. Portable hoop has a plastic base and even though it will be stable with sand, it can’t match the strength of steel fixed hoop base.
But it doesn’t mean it’s better to fixate the hoop, as the rust could turn you away from steel construction around your pool.
Make sure you tighten up all screws well when installing this kind of goal, as shaky hoop eventually can fall down and cause trouble.
If I could give you one advice here it would be to buy a hoop with a broad base.
Quality and materials
Quality is the most important feature when it comes to pool basketball hoops. Most of the poolside hoops are plastic or made of stainless steel. Durability is proportionate to quality, so choose wisely if you don’t want to end up buying another hoop for a few months.
The most expensive hoops are fixed in-ground hoops and they’re usually made of steel, and the cheapest ones are all plastic.
The best material for pool basketball hoop to last is polyethylene or HI plastic.
How adjustable are these hoops?
Portable pool basketball hoops come with height adjustability system, which means you can raise or lower the rim height as you like. This is a great option if both adults and kids use this hoop.
If your kids are using it most of the time, it could be beneficial to have a hoop to adjust as they get older. This way you don’t need to keep it set so low to the ground.
If adults use this hoop, it could be good to heighten it for a more competitive game with friends, and when you’re playing with kids return it low.
Backboard and base
There’s some difference between backboards on pool basketball hoops, so here’s what you need to know.
High-Density Polyethylene is widely spread and mostly used plastic. It’s durable and strong – actually one of the most common materials for the backboard.
To compare, the Lifetime 1306 comes with a shatter-proof backboard with Makrolon surface which is as quality as HDPE, looks awesome and does the job very well near the water.
Regarding the base, it’s usually made of plastic and it must be weighted. You can use water, sand or Basegel, but just do it.
The sand and Basegel bring the most stability. Basegel gives the same effect as around 400 pounds of sand and if you need to empty your base fast, you can do it in less than five minutes just by adding table salt and water mixture.
